Overview

We have one of the largest construction and engineering teams in the country, with over 30 specialist construction lawyers.

We work with clients at every level of their development and delivery of complex infrastructure including all forms of construction dispute resolution. Our projects cross many specialist sectors including energy and utilities, transport and real estate, and we are a first port of call for truly innovative projects, particularly in the renewables and infrastructure sectors.

We act for some of the largest construction clients from the public and private sectors, including developers, funders, investors, contractors and consultants. Key clients include Costain, Highways England, Transport for Wales, Affinity Water, Crown Commercial Service, Transport for London, AEG, Serco/Abellio, National Trust and HSBC.

Our practice spans the UK, with lawyers qualified in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. We also advise on international projects including projects in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia.

We are ranked Band 1 (National Leaders) for Construction in Chambers UK 2021.

Areas of focus

Our construction law expertise includes:

  • Construction contracts and professional appointments - drafting, negotiating and advising on all standard and bespoke forms of contract
  • Funding strategies – including PPP, private finance and project finance
  • Procurement strategies and regulated procurement
  • Health and safety - including building/fire safety and CDM regulations
  • Disputes / troubleshooting - advising on large scale disputes arising out of complex projects, using a broad range of methods of dispute resolution including adjudication, arbitration, litigation, expert determination, conciliation and mediation.
Experience

Advising Transport for Wales and Welsh Ministers / Welsh Government on the construction aspects of a 'first-of-its-kind' major national rail infrastructure project in the UK, and the largest procurement ever undertaken by Welsh Ministers (£5 billion).

Advising AEG Presents on the development of a 4,400 capacity music venue at the New Olympia.

Advising on disputes arising out of the design and construction of a multi-million pound nuclear fission research project.

Advising Birmingham City Council (as Host City): capital projects to deliver the Commonwealth Games 2022.

Advising a major energy company on the preparation and negotiation of FIDIC based construction contracts for its £25 billion nuclear new build project.

Advising on an £0.5 billion investment in strategically important port infrastructure, including the development of a bespoke framework contract to facilitate the delivery of the programme.

Advice relating to a new build section of the M25, including tunnelling and runway extension works associated with the Heathrow Expansion Project.

Advising on one of the UK’s largest facilities management contracts, with an estimated value of up to £8 billion over its duration.

Advising on a £500m residential-led development in London.

Procurement of over 4,000 homes in developments across London.

Advising on the construction of a new retail scheme at The O2.

Structuring, drafting and negotiating construction contracts for the redevelopment of a factory site into a clinical waste energy plant.

Negotiating contracts for the design, construction, management and operation and maintenance of a 180MW solar project in Spain.

Advising a contractor on the construction of a £4.2 billion tunnel project.

Advising on various € multi-billion international mining and equipment supply and installation projects.

Providing construction procurement advice on a new main line railway station.

Advising a renewable energy company on FIDIC based EPC and O&M contracts in relation to numerous battery and solar projects.

Advising on procurement and delivery contracts on numerous central London developments, including a JV on a complex £700 million mixed use scheme.

Advising on the construction of a floating offshore wind farm off the south coast of Wales - one of the first such projects in the UK.

Advising on the geothermal energy project at the Eden Project.

Providing a JV with troubleshooting and dispute resolution advice in respect of a £4 billion infrastructure project.

Advising on construction disputes arising from a £340 million road improvement scheme. Assistance to date has included numerous adjudications, two arbitrations and ad hoc advice and support throughout.

Providing strategic troubleshooting advice to an international investor on the design and construction of its new £300 million headquarters, including negotiation of settlement terms.

Advising on the rectification of fire safety issues in respect of defective cladding at two high rise multi-occupancy residential buildings, including negotiating terms of settlement.

Advising on the resolution of a £15 million+ claim against a sub-contractor for defective piling at a sub-sea cable manufacturing facility, including Technology and Construction Court proceedings.

Advising on the interpretation of an EPC contract for the design and construction of an onshore windfarm, and the merits of a claim against the EPC contractor in respect of defects in the design and construction of the wind turbines and associated loss and expense.

Advising on cross-border disputes arising out of the design and construction of a ground-breaking, multi-million pound nuclear fusion research project.

Advising a developer on disputes arising on a luxury hotel project including the refurbishment and restoration of Grade 2 listed buildings.

Meet the team
Steven James

Steven James Partner

  • Construction and Engineering 
  • Energy and Utilities
  • Construction Disputes
Lloyd James

Lloyd James Partner

  • Construction and Engineering
  • Energy and Utilities 
  • Infrastructure
Richard Adams

Richard Adams Partner

  • Construction and Engineering
  • Construction Disputes
  • Energy and Utilities Disputes
James Horton

James Horton Partner

  • Construction and Engineering
  • Energy and Utilities 
  • Infrastructure
Jessica Evans

Jessica Evans Partner

  • Construction Disputes
  • Energy and Utility Disputes
  • PFI/PPP Disputes
Headshot of Tom Weld

Tom Weld Director

  • Construction and Engineering
  • Construction Disputes
  • Construction Procurement
Nia Stewart profile image

Nia Stewart Director

  • Construction and Engineering
  • Public Sector
  • Education

What others say...

Burges Salmon stands out as construction lawyers who have a growing practice due to the calibre of their team. They benefit from a very knowledgeable, highly talented and dedicated senior management team, who lead by example, all of whom are supported by experienced and particularly well-informed senior associates, associates and solicitors.

Legal 500 2024

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